Child Broken Bones
Child Broken Bones
Everything you need to know
about A Child Broken Bones
You’ve undoubtedly been there before if you’re a parent. When your child returns home from the ball field or the ice rink, he or she complains that something hurts. You’ll need to see a doctor to find out if they broke a bone, but there are several things you can look at to figure out what’s going on.
If portions of a bone have breached the skin, it’s a broken bone (also known as a fracture). Your child’s doctor will refer to this as an “open” fracture. They might also state it’s “displaced,” which indicates the bone fragments aren’t aligned properly.
“Non-displaced” breaks are another form of break. In that case, the shattered bone fragments are properly aligned. This form of fracture is more difficult to spot.
Both types share some symptoms, such as:
- Pain. When your child tries to move, raise something, or put pressure on a limb, they may experience pain.
- Bruising. You might see this in the injured region, and your child might claim it hurts.
- Swelling. Bumps or other visible changes in the appearance of your child’s limb are also possible.
- A snapping noise is heard. Your youngster might claim that they heard this while they were hurt.
- Numbness. This could indicate nerve damage close to a break. A change in their skin colour could indicate the same thing.
- Unable to straighten. Your youngster may have difficulty doing so in the location of their injury, such as a damaged elbow.
- Unable to move a limb normally. This isn’t usually an indicator of a fracture. Even if it’s broken, some children can still move it.
What You Can Start Doing Immediately
If you believe your child is injured and may have child broken bones, get immediate medical attention. If you see a bone through the skin or fear your child’s head, neck, or back has been harmed, call 999 right away. Even if this isn’t the case, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
While you wait for assistance, there are several things you can do. Make sure your child is lying down if you can see the shattered bone. Apply pressure to the affected region with a sterile gauze pad or, if none are available, a clean cloth. Even if it’s difficult to look at, don’t try to force the bone back into place, and don’t wash it.
Don’t move the limb if you can’t see the bone. Cut away or remove garments from around the damaged region as gently as possible to avoid causing additional discomfort.
Place ice or a cold compress on the skin near the wounded region and wrap it in a cloth. It will be less painful as a result of this. This should not be done with newborns or toddlers since the cold temperature can harm their skin.
To make the area more sturdy, make a splint. To do so, use a soft cloth to pad the area around the break, then secure the limb with a rolled-up newspaper or board. Both below and above the damage, this surface should be extended. Wrap tape or a bandage across the splint to secure it in place, but not too firmly.
A sling constructed from a towel or a piece of clothing can sometimes keep the limb or joint in place.
If your child needs surgery, don’t offer them any food, drink, or medicine. It is typically not permitted prior to a procedure.
What to Expect From Your GP
When your Child Broken Bones
You can phone your doctor’s surgery for advice on the best place to take your child if they are open or call 111. The best place to go is your local hospital’s emergency department. Urgent care centres can care for your child in different locations. It’s possible that your own doctor can check for a fracture in their surgery, but it’s wise to inquire first.
Regardless of where you go, your child will almost certainly require an X-ray to aid in the diagnosis. The doctor will also inquire about the circumstances of the accident, any symptoms you’ve noticed, and your child’s medical history. They may also assess your child’s ability to move the affected limb or joint.
A splint will be applied to the broken bone by an urgent care doctor or your paediatrician, and your child will be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon as soon as feasible. Your child will be given a more permanent cast and asked to return in a few weeks to assess how the injury is healing.
Fractures in the growth plate, a soft tissue area that aids in long-term bone formation, may not show up on X-rays of your child broken bones. To check for symptoms of injury, the doctor may arrange an MRI or another form of a scan. Your child’s doctor will discuss treatment options with you once they’ve made a diagnosis, whether it’s a splint, cast, or surgery.